Welcome to our glossary of the most important terms in the field of jewelry. If you are browsing our online store or just want to learn more about jewelry, you will find explanations of the most common terms and concepts here. Whether you want to know more about precious metals, gemstones or different types of jewelry, this glossary will give you an overview of the basic terms and help you make informed decisions when buying jewelry. Enjoy exploring!
| Expression | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| 9k gold | A designation for 375 gold, i.e. a gold alloy with 37.5% fine gold and 62.5% other metals (e.g. silver, copper, nickel, palladium, etc.). | |
| 14k gold | A term for 585 gold, i.e. a gold alloy with 58.5% fine gold and 41.5% other metals (e.g. silver, copper, etc.). One of the most commonly used materials worldwide for fine jewelry. | |
| 18k gold | A term for 750 gold, i.e. a gold alloy with 75% fine gold and 25% other metals (e.g. silver, copper, etc.). A very popular material for making jewelry. | |
| 24k gold | 99.9% fine gold, which is however far too soft for making jewellery. | |
| alloy | A mixture of fine gold with other metals in varying proportions (e.g. copper, silver, palladium) to make gold harder and better for jewelry making. | |
| Yellow gold | An alloy that has the characteristic color of gold and consists of a mixture of fine gold, copper and silver. The alloy is available in various versions (14k yellow gold, 18k yellow gold, etc.) | |
| White gold | A popular alloy that does not exist in nature and is created by mixing pure gold with silver or palladium. The latter give the characteristic 'silver' color. The alloy is available in different versions (14k yellow gold, 18k yellow gold, etc.) | |
| Rose gold | An alloy in which a pink or pale red color of gold is created by mixing pure gold with proportions of copper and silver. The higher the copper content, the more intense the color. | |
| Red gold | An alloy that is even more intense and reddish in color than rose gold (usually pale pink). A higher amount of copper and a smaller amount of silver are added to the fine gold to create the characteristic color. | |
| carat | A measure of the purity of precious metals such as gold. In the case of gold, 24 carats means pure gold. | |
| 925 Sterling Silver | An alloy that consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. Sterling silver is a high-quality material that is often used to make jewelry. | |
| 316L stainless steel | Stainless steel is a popular material for making jewelry because it is considered to be very durable and easy to care for and, unlike silver jewelry, does not oxidize. Often cheaper than silver jewelry. 316L is also called surgical steel. | |
| platinum | A rare and valuable precious metal in grey-white or silver-grey, which is valued for its durability and high gloss and is often used for high-quality luxury jewellery. Usually more expensive than gold. | |
| Costume jewelry | Seasonal jewelry based on current fashion trends. Usually quite inexpensive and made from cheaper materials such as brass, stainless steel or copper. | |
| Real jewelry | Real jewelry is made primarily from high-quality materials such as gold, silver or platinum. The designs are usually classic and timeless, which makes them long-lasting companions. They are often also refined with diamonds or colored gemstones. | |
| Gemstone | Refers to natural minerals or rocks used in jewelry because of their beauty, rarity, hardness or other unique properties. | |
| Semi-precious stone |
A term for stones that have a lower degree of hardness than gemstones (based on the Mohs hardness scale ) and are less rare and therefore less valuable. Examples are amethyst, citrine and tourmaline. |
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| Mohs hardness scale |
Developed by Mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. Scale from 1-10 that classifies the hardness of gemstones. The diamond has a hardness of 10 and is therefore considered the hardest gemstone. |
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| diamond | A natural gemstone made of 100% carbon and considered one of the hardest materials in the world. Very popular for wedding and engagement rings in various sizes and cuts. | |
| Lab Grown Diamond | A synthetically produced diamond with the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a natural diamond. The only difference to a natural diamond is the origin: natural diamonds grow over many millions of years in the depths of the earth under high pressure and great heat. Lab grown diamonds are grown under controlled conditions in just a few months. Lab grown diamonds are generally cheaper and are often seen as a more sustainable alternative. | |
| Natural pearls / cultured pearls | Cultured pearl: Identical properties to natural pearls with the only difference being that a mussel is treated by humans for cultivation. A piece of tissue from another mussel is inserted into the mussel, it is then placed in fresh or salt water and the growth of the pearl is observed over the course of 2-6 years. Natural pearls are rarer and more valuable. | |
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Zircon |
A genuine, natural gemstone from Zirconium silicate. | |
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Zirconia |
A synthetically produced gemstone, visually similar to a zircon. Often used as a cheap imitation diamond. | |
| Swarovski crystal |
A man-made crystal made of glass known for its brilliance and high quality. Also known as rhinestone or zirconia. |
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| Version | An element in jewelry design - a kind of "holder" for colored gemstones, diamonds or pearls in a piece of jewelry. Examples of this are prong or bezel settings. | |
| Prong setting | Also known as a handle or claw setting, holds the gemstone or diamond with individual metal handles (eg four-handle or six-handle). Very popular design for engagement rings. | |
| Frame setting | The metal completely surrounds the gemstone or diamond. Often used for round diamonds (bezel setting). | |
| Pavé | Means "pavement" or "paved" in French - a way of setting, for example, very small diamonds close together on a piece of jewelry. | |
| Engagement ring | A ring that is considered a meaningful symbol of an impending marriage, often set with one or more precious stones (e.g. diamonds). | |
| Wedding ring | A symbol of the marital bond between two people, often made of gold or platinum. | |
| Promise Ring | Also known as Promise rings are a symbol of love and commitment or the next step in a relationship. It is sometimes bought as a precursor to the engagement ring and is usually made of gold. | |
| Friendship ring | Represents the close bond between two friends and is often engraved with the friends' names. Can be made of silver, gold or other materials. | |
| Signet ring |
A ring with a large, smooth surface, often decorated with a coat of arms, monogram or initials. Was traditionally used to stamp seals in wax. |
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| Solitaire ring | A classic engagement ring with a diamond, usually in a claw setting with 4 or 6 claws. | |
| Eternity Ring / Memory Ring / Memoire Ring / Alliance Ring | A ring that is set all around with small diamonds or gemstones. Diamonds are often worn as a wedding ring, individually or as an engagement ring. It is considered a symbol of eternal love. | |
| Necklace | French term for "necklace" or "necklace jewelry". A wide, decorative choker or necklace, often relatively short, can be lavishly decorated with elaborate gemstones, pearls or be classically simple. Often more massive or valuable than a normal necklace. | |
| Choker | Tight fitting necklace, often between 35-38cm long. Can be made of silver, stainless steel, gold with pearls or other materials such as a velvet ribbon. | |
| Earrings | A small earring that sits directly on the earlobe and is closed with a pin (butterfly pin). | |
| Hoop earrings |
A larger earring in the shape of a ring. Also known as hoops. One of the most popular, classic earring designs for everyday use. Can be fastened with a click fastener or a pin, depending on the type. |
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| Earrings | Earrings that are hung in the ear hole and hang down the ear. Often worn on festive or special occasions. | |
| Ear clips | Earrings that do not require a piercing. They are attached to the ear using a movable hinge. | |
| Ear Piercing | Additional ear piercings in different places on the ear to combine several earrings or studs at the same time. "Lobe piercing" is the classic ear piercing, "Helix piercing" is an ear piercing on the upper ear that is pierced through the cartilage. | |
| Diamond earrings | Earrings set with diamonds. Either natural diamonds or lab grown diamonds. Often classic diamond stud earrings in various carat weights and sizes. | |
| Necklace pendant | A decorative design element that hangs from a chain and is often personalized or embellished with gemstones. | |
| amulet |
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| medallion | A hinged jewelry or necklace pendant that can be opened to carry a photo inside, for example. | |
| brooch |
A decorative piece of jewelry that is attached to clothing with a pin on the back. Often decorated with stones. Also known as a jewelry pin. |
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| Cufflink |
Buttons for closing a man's shirt at the wrist, which is also considered a piece of jewelry for men. |
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| engraving | A finishing technique that can be used to personalize jewelry, e.g. by lasering names, initials or dates into a necklace pendant. | |
| Chain bracelet | A bracelet consisting of a series of connected links, often made of precious metals. | |
| Bracelet / bangle | A movable piece of jewelry that is usually attached to the wrist with a lobster clasp. | |
| Bangle | A solid, rigid piece of jewelry, usually without a clasp, which is pulled directly over the wrist. Usually made of gold, silver or another precious metal. | |
| Charm bracelet |
A bracelet to which various small pendants can be attached. |
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| Tennis bracelet | A bracelet set with diamonds all around. | |
| CVD process | Chemical vapor deposition. A process for producing synthetic diamonds using carbon-rich gas such as methane . | |
| High pressure high temperature (HPHT) | A process that uses high temperatures and pressure to create synthetic diamonds. |
